“Imaginemos cosas chingonas” – Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández
A phrase no supporter of the Mexican National team will ever forget. It’s a phrase that was already fairly popular in the country of Mexico, but became a new national slogan after Chicharito Hernández used it in an interview with David Faitelson.
You can watch the full interview here.
The interviewer, David, was pointing out all the issues that were currently hindering the Mexican National team, including a lack of creativity and player passion, among other things. As well as the fact that Germany, reigning World Cup champions, had one of their strongest squads in German football history. Boasting the likes of Jérôme Boateng, Toni Kroos, Khedira, Marco Reus, Mesut Özil, Thomas Müller, Antonio Rüdiger, and superstar goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, with ter Stegen waiting on the bench.
Just in case, y’know, just in case.
It was almost unanimously accepted by Mexican fans and journalists, and frankly, the world, that Mexico would not make it past the group stages in the 2018 World Cup.
We had landed in Group F with previous World Cup winners Germany, who had defeated Messi’s Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final. There was also a strong South Korea side that boasted then-Tottenham superstar Son Heung-min, who was in phenomenal form in the English Premier League, and a hungry Swedish side that had eliminated Italy to qualify for the World Cup.
Predictions placed Germany at the top of the group, with a fight for second place between South Korea and Sweden, with Mexico seemingly reserving their spot in last place. For many fans of the sport, this group was considered to be the group of death. 4 competitive teams with only 2 available spots to advance to the round of 16, things were not in favor of the Mexican National team, and no one believed they could make it to the elimination rounds. Things looked even bleaker for Mexico as their first opponent was to be Germany.
Every major sports news station was giving this game up as a loss for Mexico, and not just a loss but a devastating defeat that would cement their poor performance in the World Cup.
On match day, to everyone’s utter surprise, Mexico came out firing on all cylinders, nearly surprising Germany in the first few minutes. A blocked shot from Lozano earned Mexico a corner, and in the ensuing chaos, that is a corner kick, a bounce off of defender Plattenhardt’s thigh nearly saw the ball at the feet of Mexican defender Hugo Ayala. If not for an intervention from Boateng, Ayala would have been alone in front of gol with Neuer stumbling towards the ball, and a simple push is all it would have taken to put Mexico in front 1-0.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut alas, it was not to be, and for the next 30 or so minutes, both teams would have their fair share of chances, with Germany often looking the more dangerous of the two sides. It wasn’t until the 34th minute that the deadlock would finally be broken.
To everyone’s absolute and utter shock, a recuperation of the ball by Mexican defenders following a German assault saw a play forward to striker Chicharito Hernández, who with a masterclass of a touch and go execution, passed it back to Guardado who then played it forward with Hernández. Hernández powered forward with the ball, keeping it close and trying to keep a distance from German players. The only opposition standing between him and Neuer, was Boateng.
As German defenders rushed back with Hernández’s advance, Mexican striker Lozano approached from the far left side of the pitch.
Hernández saw his opportunity and pushed a through ball to the fast-approaching Lozano, who cut in towards Neuer’s net, past Özil, and fired off a low shot near the keeper’s post just out of Neuer’s reach. Neuer’s stature working against him in this instance, as he just couldn’t get low enough in time to stop Lozano’s brace.
Now let me tell you something. Let me tell you something!
As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, every Mexican fan who was watching the match jumped up simultaneously. It was unbelievable! Absolute euphoria! Against all odds, against every prediction, against every naysayer, every reporter and sports analyst who had told them no, against the very champions of the world, Mexico was winning.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe state of the match made Germany grow increasingly desperate, and as time went on, the more desperate they grew, and the more desperate they were, the more dangerous they became.
Shot after shot on Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa’s gol became a seemingly endless onslaught.
Germany was desperate to tie the game.
Half-time was a short respite for the Mexican National team as the German assault continued into the second half of the match. Dive after dive, save after save, close call after close call, Ochoa stood ten toes down, but also sometimes up, and did not let a single ball through.
Embed from Getty ImagesLike 2 prized boxers, they traded blows, Germany always having the more dangerous-looking chances. Until finally, at the 93rd minute, after additional time had all been spent, the referee blew the final whistle and cemented Mexico’s 1-0 win over German World Cup champions into footballing history.
Watch the full match recap here with extended highlights.
We would later learn that sensitive seismic sensors in Mexico City registered an “artificial” or rather, a “man-made” earthquake, due to the massive synchronized jumping by celebrating Mexican fans. The Institute of Geological and Atmospheric Investigations confirmed that although the tremors were not strong enough to be felt by people, the celebrations of Mexican fans did in fact create a seismic event seven seconds after Hirving Lozano’s 35th-minute gol against Germany.
So there you have it. A literal earthquake. Such were the celebrations of jubilant Mexican Football fans after Mexico’s gol that they created a literal earthquake. Madness. Absolute madness. That is the power of this sport. That is the power of the beautiful game.